Abstract: An electrolyte gel matrix, which may be a conductive adhesive such as a urethane hydrogel, is located in a cavity formed in a non-conductive tray. The matrix is adapted to engage the skin of a patient and transmit signals between the skin and an electrode conductor supported by the base of the tray for exchanging signals with peripheral equipment. A stiffening platform adhered to the tray extends across the cavity portion aligned with the conductor to minimize motion artifacts associated with the use of the electrode. The electrode is removably attachable to the skin by an adhesive layer on the lower surface of the tray and by a preferably more aggressive adhesive layer on the lower surface of the platform.

Abstract: Dispensable medical electrodes formed as separable segments of an indefinitely long substrate are formed by applying to the substrate a longitudinally extending stripe of a conductive paint and by overlaying the painted stripe at periodic intervals corresponding to the separable segments with films of a conductive adhesive material which films generally traverse the width of the substrate. After conditioning the conductive adhesive films to a desired moisture content, the substrate is rolled spirally upon itself and stored in an electrode dispenser device. Two types of dispenser device are disclosed. In one type, the dispenser confines a humidity control solution which maintains substantially constant the moisture content of the conductive adhesive films. The second type of dispenser device confines an activating solution which is applied to the conductive adhesive films located on the electrode segments as the electrode segments are dispensed.

Abstract: Dispensable medical electrodes formed as separable segments of an indefinitely long substrate are formed by applying to the substrate a longitudinally extending stripe of a conductive paint and by overlaying the painted stripe at periodic intervals corresponding to the separable segments with films of a conductive adhesive material which films generally traverse the width of the substrate. After conditioning the conductive adhesive films to a desired moisture content, the substrate is rolled spirally upon itself and stored in an electrode dispenser device. Two types of dispenser device are disclosed. In one type, the dispenser confines a humidity control solution which maintains substantially constant the moisture content of the conductive adhesive films. The second type of dispenser device confines an activating solution which is applied to the conductive adhesive films located on the electrode segments as the electrode segments are dispensed.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a pair of electrical leads to a ground electrode includes an upper connector plate and a lower connector plate, both formed of an electrically non-conductive material, and a pair of leaf spring contact means which are connected to said upper and lower connector plates and by which the plates are spring biased apart. A pair of connector posts are mounted on the side of the lower plate facing the upper plate, and may be engaged by a spring biased latch means carried on the upper plate. The latch means holds the lower and upper plates together securely with the connection tab of an electrode therebetween.

Abstract: Dispensable medical electrodes formed as separable segments of an indefinitely long substrate are formed by applying to the substrate a longitudinally extending stripe of a conductive paint and by overlaying the painted stripe at periodic intervals corresponding to the separable segments with films of a conductive adhesive material which films generally traverse the width of the substrate.After conditioning the conductive adhesive films to a desired moisture content, the substrate is rolled spirally upon itself and stored in an electrode dispenser device. Two types of dispenser device are disclosed. In one type, the dispenser confines a humidity control solution which maintains substantially constant the moisture content of the conductive adhesive films. The second type of dispenser device confines an activating solution which is applied to the conductive adhesive films located on the electrode segments as the electrode segments are dispensed.

Abstract: Epidermal tissue is prepared and marked prior to attachment thereto of an electrode, such as an electrocardiograph electrode, by gently stroking the epidermal surface with an abrader device having fibers adequately stiff to dislodge cells from the epidermal tissue. The abrader device is sterilized and stored in a protective container prior to use.

Abstract: The eyelet of a snap fastener conductor extends both through an adhesively coated supporting sheet and a gel pad whereupon a flange on the eyelet cooperates with the gel pad to form a cup-like cavity in which electrolyte gel is placed. The supporting sheet is formed from a substantially moisture and water vapor impervious material and cooperates with a cover that is also substantially moisture and water vapor impervious having a cavity receiving the gel pad to prevent gel dry out. The gel pad receiving cavity has a centrally located plug that enters the cup-like cavity during assembly to displace the gel into adjacent portions of the gel pad and also to resist substantial movement of the snap fastener conductor when a lead wire is attached.

Abstract: The eyelet of a snap fastener conductor extends both through an adhesively coated supporting sheet and a gel pad whereupon a flange on the eyelet cooperates with the gel pad to form a cuplike cavity in which electrolyte gel is placed. The supporting sheet is formed from a substantially moisture and water vapor impervious material and cooperates with a cover that is also substantially moisture and water vapor impervious having a cavity receiving the gel pad to prevent gel dry out.

Abstract: The signal conducting element of a medical electrode of the type bridged to skin by electrolyte and which is required to be X-ray transparent comprises a thin layer of a conductive paint adhered to a relatively thin supporting substrate, said substrate with adhered paint extending remotely from the electrolyte-to-skin interface for circuit connection and protected by a barrier which excludes electrolyte from the remote circuit connection.

Abstract: A medical electrode particularly suited for use as an EEG electrode comprises initially separated electrode conductor and electrolyte carrier components which are united prior to use of the electrode. The electrolyte carrier component comprises a disposable adhesive patch adhered to a disposable sponge member soaked with an electrolyte. The electrode conductor component comprises a reusable conductor ring having an affixed lead wire terminating with a plug-in device for effecting attachment to a monitoring instrument. Prior to use the electrolyte carrier components are stored in one or more evaporation resistant tray devices.

Abstract: The signal conducting element of a medical electrode of the type bridged to skin by electrolyte and which is required to be X-ray transparent comprises a thin layer of a conductive paint adhered to a relatively thin supporting substrate, said substrate with adhered paint extending remotely from the electrolyte-to-skin interface for circuit connection and protected by a barrier which excludes electrolyte from the remote circuit connection.

Abstract: A medical electrode for attachment to the skin of a patient has a cup member forming a cavity for containing an electroylyte. The cup member has a base portion which is movable inwardly of the cup member so as to contract the interior volume of the cavity and in so doing displace the electrolyte outwardly of the cup member for contact to the skin of a patient. In a modification, the configuration of the base of the cup member allows an electrode conductor to be supported out of contact with the electrolyte until the base portion is moved to displace electrolyte outwardly of the cup member.

Abstract: A multiple choke assembly comprises individual chokes assembled side by side and in close proximity, mutual inductance phenomena occurring between adjacent chokes being minimized by alternating the lay of adjacent chokes. The disclosure also includes a description of a preferred arrangement utilizing a two-choke assembly for the burn protection of patients undergoing electrosurgery at times when electrocardiograph electrodes may be attached to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A cup for use in medical electrode structures comprises a one-piece body of plastic having a cup shape and thus having a base and a rim. The rim is rounded for comfortable skin contact and has integrally formed barbs projecting inwardly and downwardly toward the center of the cup. The barbs permit a prefilled electrolyte sponge to be dropped into the cup without appreciable resistance from the barbs, but resist any tendency for the prefilled sponge to separate from the cup. Accordingly the cup supports the prefilled electrolyte sponge for contact to the skin of a patient but resists any tendency of the sponge to escape the cup by clinging to the patient's skin.

Abstract: An electrode for sensing signals such as electrocardiograph signals used with an electrolyte is formed from an electrically conductive but galvanicallly inactive material having a galvanically active conductive material at the electrolyte interface. Examples are described including a body formed from a plastic or other non-conductive binder rendered conductive by inclusion of finely divided conductive carbon and having one or more metal particles anchored to the surface of the body which contacts the electrolyte.

Abstract: A body electrode suitable for sensing bioelectrical potentials and adapted to be electrically connected to an external electrically responsive member, the body electrode including a stainless steel electrode and an aqueous alkali metal sulfate electrolyte; and methods of accurately receiving and transmitting for monitoring and diagnostic purposes small electrical voltages generated in the body.